KAMPALA- Steven Bengo caused KCCA a scare after he limped out of yesterday’s training with what appeared as a thigh injury ahead of their Caf Champions League first round preliminary fixture against Sudan’s El-Merreikh.

The midfielder left the pitch 20 minutes before the end of yesterday’s evening training session at Namboole clutching to his right thigh, raising doubts about his availability for Saturday’s game.

The midfielder, despite his inconsistency, is seen as the team’s most creative player alongside winger Brian Majwega and his absence would be a huge loss to coach George Nsimbe’s side if they are to get a positive result in Sudan.

Nsimbe, however, moved to downplay fears that the midfielder would miss the game saying that he expects the player to still travel with the team. “Let us wait for the doctor’s assessment but it does not appear too serious,” Nsimbe said after the session. The team is expected to hold its final training session this morning at Namboole before they fly out to Khartoum later in the afternoon for the first round preliminary fixture.

The two sides met during KCC’s last continental appearance in 2009 with El-Merreikh progressing to the lucrative quarter-final group stage after a 2-1 aggregate win.

Meanwhile, Morley Byekwaso, coach of the country’s other continental representatives, SC Victoria University, yesterday denied reports that the club would soften their stance against its three suspended players before their continental tie at the weekend. The university side is due to play DR Congo’s Don Bosco this Saturday and despite having a largely inexperienced team, Byekwaso believes the players at his disposal are capable of getting a result in Lubumbashi.

“The available players will do the job for me, he said before adding, “I prefer having players that have shown commitment to the cause to those that think are bigger than the club, he stressed. Victoria, who will be making their maiden appearance on the continent, suspended defenders Denis Guma and Savio Kabugo after the duo missed training for a week without communicating to the club. They also suspended midfielder Mike Serumaga on Monday after reportedly returning drunk after missing a team meeting over the weekend.